I read today on the BBC that Rabiot's situation at PSG has deteriorated with PSG refusing to play him unless he signs a new contract. It also says Liverpool have been linked with the player for a summer move.

Two questions-
1. Could you see Liverpool moving for him (if we move on a few midfielders first)
2. Are PSG allowed to not play him as he has not signed a contract?

Thanks.

Taurus01

{Ed002's Note - 1. If Liverpool want him he will want to be a starter and that would be a problem unless they move Keita on - it does not seem to be a position that needs strengthening righ now. And with PSG having accused two sides (naming Barcelona as one) of tapping him up perhaps Liverpool would want to deal with the matter carefully if they are to look to him - so I am far from convinced. 2. Of course. It happens all of the time.}

I was looking at the venues to host Champions League finals in the future and I was elated to discover the venue for the 2019/ 2020 final is the Attaturk stadium! Making the final would truly be special!

Taurus01

1.) 29 Aug 2018 23:24:00
Be great to win there as defending champions 😉.

😄 I went with the Irish Liverpool Supporters Club and I was paralytic before the plane took off from Dublin. I had no voice left by the time we landed in Turkey and then had “that” bus journey to sober up.
Greatest 48 hours I can (vaguely) remember 😄.

5.) 25 Mar 2018 03:48:28
I think Liverpool will be the last club Klopp manages. Raphael Hoginstein has a piece on Klopp spending 7 years at Mainz, 7 years at Broussia, and will spend 7 at Liverpool. He has a special relationship with each club and has said he won't coach into late age.

1.) 06 Jan 2018 19:35:10
Danny Ward has a number of potential suitors and I have it on good authority that his preference is for Nottingham Forest. it surprised me too . Klopp has td him that he sees himas LFC number 1 long term.

{Ed002's Note - I can’t see Liverpool sending him on loan unless Bogdan is now fit. Klopp promises a lot of things that aren’t true. If he has told him he is a future first choice then Liverpool won’t be looking for a new keeper for many years to come. Or maybe Klopp is lying again?}

8.) 24 Aug 2017 15:47:52
if it comes to tapping up then southampton must as well not sell to chelsea, man city and Chelsea too. For southampton saying theywill not sell VVD to liverpool based on tapping up would be very ridiculous really.

Just a general footy question. When Kyllian Mbappe came on the scene, I felt you just knew he was something special and would become a world beater. Just like the same feeling I had with Messi. Are there any other players at the moment you feel that way about?

Thanks.

Taurus01

{Ed001's Note - that young lad Pellegri is the only one I can think of right now. There probably is more but my mind has gone blank.}

1.) 18 Oct 2018 12:54:34
This lad lost any single match he has scored in so far, unlucky.

{Ed025's Note - i think your more of an origi than a salah though benny, plenty of effort without that finesse and guile of a top performer mate.. :)

4.) 18 Oct 2018 14:52:02
Pellegri has looked great when he's gotten a game, though his move to Monaco has been plagued by injuries which I hope he recovers from. Also Jardim leaving is a huge loss, he's a genius when it comes to developing youth players.

Out of interest, what article are you currently working on? Have to say I really enjoyed the first part of the villains article series.

Thanks.

Taurus01

{Ed001's Note - I am working on the next boxing legends article which is on Thomas Hearns, though I have put it aside to do the comparison between the 08/09 team and this seasons. That would have been done by now but for the dentist butchering me over the last few days, so I haven't been up to doing much. Though I did manage to give the missus the best hour of her life yesterday....I was not allowed to open my mouth or speak for an hour.}

{Ed001's Note - I thought I would do that one next as I liked him as a fighter but don't really know anything about him. Also a couple of you requested him, and I tend to do the requests first anyway.}

5.) 26 Sep 2018 18:05:06
Ed01, Thomas Hearns was a brilliant fighter. He like his contemporaries (Sugar Ray, Roberto Duran etc) were artists of the sport. Also Ed, remember the memorable fights amongst Thomas Hearns, Marvin Hagler, Roberto Duran and Sugar Ray Leonard? For the kids out there, these fights are the stuff of legends. These guys literally fought each other at least twice and in some cases, THREE times. This was during the 80's when boxing was still The Sweet Science. Oh and by the way regarding Ed's comment about boxers of today dodging each other, back then, either you fought the guy who was the then no. 1 contender OR you did NOT get paid, pure and simple. After all, there is a reason the boxing legends of back in the day fought each other more than once and in some cases 3 times. Great times, Ed.

{Ed001's Note - I loved Duran, not sure why, but always loved him as a fighter but never took to Leonard. They all seemed to have real personalities back then, they mostly seem sanitised now and if they do say anything interesting, like Bellew does, they get crucified for it.}

6.) 26 Sep 2018 18:51:54
At his peak, Roberto "Manos de Piedra" (Hands of Stone) Duran, was probably the best of all 4 of them. The way he slipped punches, and counterpunched was really something. By the time he fought Hearns and Leonard he was way past his peak and had probably lost his desire to fight (in the same way we saw with Mike Tyson and others) . Looking forward to your article on Hearns, Ed001.

8.) 26 Sep 2018 19:27:42
{Ed001's Note - it was good when boxers didn't spend their careers hiding from anyone likely to give them a good fight. }

Cause they were fighters, and not 'professional boxers' who 'box professionally' with 'tactical acumen' and 'technical expertise', as if the fighters of old weren't professional, tactical or technical.

10.) 27 Sep 2018 00:24:45
It's from the film "million dollar baby" ed01. Clint Eastwood and hillary what's her name. In clints gym there is a young lad called danger. Can't fight for rubbish. Has been training for months and never hit a bag but he has more heart than anyone. He always shouts that he wants to fight Tommy hearns, the motor city cobra. No one tells him that Tommy retired years ago.

If you haven't seen it and you like boxing you'll love million dollar baby ed01. Also cinderella man with Russel Crowle is brilliant. Much better than the rocky films. These are real Oscar nominated films. I think million dollar baby might have won best picture.

{Ed001's Note - winning an Oscar is normally a sign a film is utter cack.}

11.) 27 Sep 2018 00:44:09
Ed, will you be doing one on Prince Naseem Hamed? Not everyones cup of tea and never fulfilled his huge potential but he was hugely entertaining to watch (both his boxing and his showboating) .

{Ed001's Note - I have added him to the list. He was too busy with other things that was his problem. Shame because he could have been in the argument as greatest all time pound for pound fighter if he has kept his head into boxing.}

12.) 27 Sep 2018 10:01:40
Agree Ed, and it looks like he's kept his head in the cheesecake since retiring.

What's your view on the studies of head injuries and heading a football being related? Do you think even with good evidence Fifa would change anything? Personally I can't see them doing anything.

The only possible solution I can see is a change in the material of the football so that there's less impact on the head. Whether that's possible I have no idea!

Thanks.

Taurus01

{Ed001's Note - I can only see changes being made at youth level to be honest. Not sure what else can be done really other than football making sure people know that it causes damage and accept liability for past problems before the admittal.}

{Ed025's Note - how about suits of armour and sponge boots?, they are already mollycoddled to death RTID, its a bloody mans game and the players need to grow a set and step up to the plate mate..

2.) 10 Aug 2018 13:27:48
A bit short sighted in my honest opinion Ed, one day when I have a son and he goes on to play for Liverpool id be concerned about head trauma from repetitive heading of the ball 🙂 besides its not like were talking about simulation here, the effects can be severe.

{Ed025's Note - but its not a cannon ball RTID its a bag of air, years ago when it was a leather casey with a lace in it yes you may have a point, but besides geoff astle can you name anyone in history who has had problems because of heading a football?, when you compare it to the likes of boxing or rugby its a light year away from being dangerous mate and its being highlighted imo so that claims for compensation can be made in the future..cynical i know but thats what i think..

3.) 10 Aug 2018 14:24:11
You don't have to head the ball if you keep it on the deck. Problem solved, I've just saved football. Also nobody show these researchers boxing or MMA, they'd have an aneurysm.

6.) 10 Aug 2018 14:18:35
Ed01, in your opinion, even if it becomes a big thing at youth level, don't you think it will still affect the game massively if players aren't learning to head the ball properly until they're 18 or 21? I'm only 37 but I still remember the days when I was like 6-13 where the balls seemed to absorb water and a header would hurt, I think taking it out of the youth game makes it more dangerous as by the time you get to an age where someone can seriously smack a ball, you're then at the point where you're learning to head it correctly, I say leave it as it is. Not at the cost of long or short term damage obviously but they're protected so much as it is, I personally don't see headers as a problem.

{Ed001's Note - I am not sure that the risk of brain disease should be dismissed so lightly purely at the risk of losing an ability that really isn't that important in the modern era anyway.}

7.) 10 Aug 2018 16:18:25
That's fair enough ed, and reading over my last post I can see it looked as though I was brushing the fears under the carpet, I genuinely wasn't, health comes above everything, it was more so, I started playing at under 5's, I still play now, and pretty much everyone I play with has played the same length of time, some a bit shorter, others longer, I know it's naive to think it's not happened to any of us so should be fine etc but in skull caps haven't protected it from rugby, boxing is becoming more and more popular with the success that British boxers are having at present, and also, is it likely to be a worldwide ban through youth or British, European, etc, I haven't done a massive amount of research so I am a bit blind to it but how common is it to have brain injuries in this circumstance, again, I want to reemphasize that I'm not saying it's fine, I'm generally not in the know about the research that's been conducted and with it potentially having a huge affect on the game, health is more important so how frequent is it or is it more preventative before it becomes common? As always, appreciate your opinion.

{Ed001's Note - no one knows how frequent it is, but it is known to be a contributing factor towards depression and that is incredibly common in retired footballers. Much as I love a good headed goal, particularly a diving header, maybe the answer is to make the head the same as the hand, a part of the body that is outlawed? Would it really be that bad to do without headers?}

8.) 10 Aug 2018 16:36:12
I think it would change the game entirely, to be honest. Players have been getting taller which wouldn't be as necessary, tactics would change greatly in the main. Not for the worse, I don't think though. Certain players and managers would effectively become redundant. It would certainly take some getting used to though.

Hypothetically speaking, what happens when somebody shoots and smacks the ball into a defenders head or face? Free kick to whom or not at all? Also, would we see more overhead kicks as you wouldn't be able to challenge for an aerial ball with your head?

General play wouldn't be affected as much, bouncing balls from goal kicks aside and high feet as players posture to try and control the ball in the air. It would be the pinch points where goals are scored or prevented that would be affected the most.

{Ed001's Note - or teams could pass the ball along the ground like we always used to when we dominated. The only joke here is you, as usual, with your moronic posts that spout ignorance on a regular basis. Children's skulls are still growing, like their whole body. There is a reason why, for instance, children are not allowed to compete in endurance events. However we have some gob***** know it all like you to tell us that they know better, so thankfully we can just ignore the fact they are only children and listen to your pathetic mutterings. You are one of those imbeciles like Neil Warnock, who live in the 50s and fail to realise the world has moved on, children are no longer sent up chimneys to work. It would hardly be a big deal to change the game at youth level to remove heading. And if your only argument is that it would stop goalkeepers from hoofing it, then it just shows how stupid your stance is.}

10.) 10 Aug 2018 17:36:46
I was going to say that, wouldn’t no heading encourage better football, and means the likes Fellaini wouldn’t play just because he is a thug, but actually talented players would get better chances, not just based on physical presence.

11.) 10 Aug 2018 18:24:55
Just don't let them play then ed, I have children and have no concerns over heading a ball of air. Learn to head it right and your fine.

If I was in America then I wouldn't put my kids any where near nfl. Ever.

You know the risks when putting your children into any sport. You have more horror stories from sports like boxing than others, literally people dying in the ring and there's no changes happening, BECAUSE YOU KNOW THE RISKS. Like everything there is a downside.

As for football,

You've got people like Bobby Charlton from the stone age of football still rocking strong. You can't be sure that any people who suffered later in life weren't just going to suffer anyway.

As for changing the games for kids, your talking about the premier league, which is just a childish idea.

What if 50 plus ex footballers start developing severe limps in their kicking foot, do we just abolish football? .

Boxing do we have them just spout nasty insults at each other until one gets upset?

{Ed001's Note - oh grow up. You offer nothing to the conversation when you are so stupid as to talk about it as a bag of air. It is nothing to do with that, if you were intelligent enough to understand basic science you would know it is even more dangerous now than it was in the past with the heavier balls. Way over your head to understand that the speed the ball moves at increases the force it hits the head. But it is ok because you can think of one player that you hope is still ok but have no actual idea whether that is true or not. You have no idea if he has suffered any kind of mental issues from heading the ball or not.}

12.) 10 Aug 2018 19:14:31
Kloppsboss, you are embarrassing yourself. Saying that people know the risks of playing football is just a strawman's argument. Cos I knew what I signed up for does NOT bar the football (or any other sports) officials from making the game or sport safer for us to play Even the NFL is doing the best it can to make the game safer so what is football's excuse?

Also, The ball or bag of air has nothing to do with head injuries that can happen as a result of pursuing it. When two players go for a header, the ball is not the issue here, it is the risk of both player getting concussed if they both collide. Same for a GK, rushing out of his goal to pick up a low cross in a sea of legs, leading with his head. More policies need to be put in place to protect players from more head injuries and IMO, GK's should start wearing Petr Cech-type head-gears to protect them more cos we all know what happened when he went for a ball head first and almost never played again.

13.) 10 Aug 2018 20:21:41
Using hand picked legends is such a poor way of evidencing your point. They make the same mistake in NFL when they used the ex-players on TV as examples. So that's a handful of players, where are the hundreds and things of others who we never see again?

I agree fully with limiting damage to the head at youth level in all sorts.

14.) 10 Aug 2018 22:20:49
Klopps what are you talking about they have stopped head contact in the NFL now and if it happens it is penalised, so if it's a problem in other sports then the obvious thing would be to stop what is causing it.
One cannot understand why you are arguing about this but failing to back your argument up fella.

15.) 10 Aug 2018 23:15:21
My old man always used go say it was stupid us kids using proper footballs. I was a good little player at 10. We were only allowed to use small footballs in our concrete playground. Ya know, about twice/ thrice the size of a cricket ball. Leather usually. Most of us played in the same kids team and in training we used full size balls and full size goals. Our gk couldn't reach the halfway line in goal kicks. I was penalty taker and I just used to put it in the roof of the net. The little 10 Yr old keepers couldn't reach it in a million years.

There is the argument that it makes kids muscular and prepares them for adult football but if you look at pro clubs, in training the kids use smaller balls, lighter. And smaller goals that the keeper has a chance at.

Head injuries are a serious thing. But most athletes know the dangers they face. Joshua getting in a ring with klitchko. Good god. Not for a million pounds would I. But they do, and for more than a million pounds. The balls have got lighter and lighter, footballers of the past would eat this lot for breakfast.

Can you imagine sourness claiming "the ball is too heavy, it hurts my head" or Brian Robson.

If we're worried about injuries in sport let's look at rugby we're headbutting is part of the game plan. Or boxing where the only aim is to hit your opponent in the head, kidneys or gut. Or formula one where people get in little cars and fly around a track at 200 mph

In the grand scheme of things football is a pretty light sport. Not as light as many think (I've been badly injured playing football) but it's a beautiful game.

Promising times when it's hard to say what our best starting lineup is! Who would you start given we don't sign anyone else.

And happy birthday you youngen :)

Thanks.

Taurus01

{Ed001's Note - cheers. I don't think I would change much. Certainly not the forwards. Alisson in goal. Back four of TAA, Lovren, VVD and Robbo. Midfield of Fabinho, Hendo and Keita. Forwards the usual 3.}

1.) 29 Jul 2018 14:36:55
I just don't think there's enough creativity in playing Fabinho and Henderson together in a midfield 3. Both will do the defensive job but I can't see either playing those needle passes we may need against a defensive team. If Shaqiri plays anything like he did yesterday I'd go with Fabinho as the DM, Keita as the box to box midfielder and Shaqiri as the number 10 behind our awesome front 3 helping to break teams down. With the likes of Henderson and Gini covering for Fabinho and Keita.

{Ed002's Note - Back to the 4-1-1-1-3 formation then? I did tell you it would end up like that.}

2.) 29 Jul 2018 14:40:41
On second thoughts, why even bother with a DM against the ultra defensive teams? Imagine if we signed Fekir it could be an attack-minded midfield like Keita, Shaqiri and Fekir. Score a couple of goals then bring on Fabinho and Henderson to both help shut up shop. Oh the options!

3.) 29 Jul 2018 15:02:42
Hi Adam - I disagree on hendo, he has shown with his passing range and defence splitting passes that he is very creative plus he can put in the defensive shift - I see us as having a front five with hendo and Keita and a defensive six/ seven against better teams.

6.) 29 Jul 2018 17:21:06
Read it again Robbie, did I say there's no creativity in our team? No. I said there would not be much creativity in the midfield coming from Henderson and Fabinho - being both defensive-minded. I'm not saying that is a bad thing, or putting them down, I think their skills are invaluable when we are looking to defend, but I would like to see only one of those players in the midfield when we are looking to break down Stoke-like teams who just defend. Start with Shaqiri and Keita in the midfield and it will be an attacking onslaught. As for the 4-0-6 formation, Liverpool already have TAA and Robertson focused primarily on attack so we may as well call it 2-0-8 ;)

7.) 29 Jul 2018 21:09:33
Adam, we played a midfield 3 of Milner, Wiji and Hendo late last season and that s=did not stop us from thumping Roma, City and Brighton (we did struggle vs parked buses, I agree) . That midfield will be less creative compared to Keita, Hendo and Fab esp. since Hendo will play ahead of Fab, behind Keita who is VERY creative. Chill out, man. Everything will be fine.

28 Nov 2018 15:26:51
I think for a lot of us Ed001, given we had some left back problems for a very long time after Riise appeared to be very good. Very happy the days of Dossena and Konchesky have come to an end.

On a seperate note what did you think of Emiliano Insua? If i recall correctly he started quite well but then it all went a bit pear shaped.

Taurus01

{Ed001's Note - he had discipline problems off the pitch, in particular with his eating habits as he had a love of fast food and ate huge amounts of it. It made him overweight and sluggish all the time. Shame as he had a genuine natural talent.}

01 Nov 2018 21:28:20
You made a good point until you mentioned Gomes Ed025.

Taurus01

{Ed025's Note - believe me taurus this guy is the dogs doo dah,s mate, the problem is we wont be able to keep hold of him as he has a £70m buy out clause with barca and let me tell you thats the bargain of the century, you will see for yourself in december when we play you just how good he is..